KR20010032941A - Method and arrangement for establishing data communication via a mobile telephone modem - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus associated with a mobile telephone modem. According to the invention, the mobile telephone modem comprises a memory means in which one or more rank rankings for data bearer services are stored. In response to the call request, one of the stored rank ranks is selected. If only one rank rank is stored, this rank rank is of course selected. The call is made first with the data bearer service with the highest rank in the selected rank. If no call connection is established, according to the error message from the mobile telephone network, it is determined whether the highest rated data bearer service is supported by the mobile telephone network. If the highest grade data bearer service is not supported by the mobile phone network, until a call connection is made, or until a backout connection is not supported but is supported by the mobile phone network, for example because the called connection is reserved or disconnected. The calling procedure is repeated sequentially for lower grade data bearer services.

Description

METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR ESTABLISHING DATA COMMUNICATION VIA A MOBILE TELEPHONE MODEM}

In the case of data communication between so-called Data Terminal Equipment (DTE devices), such as Personal Computers (PCs), other types of computers, or similar applications, the so-called Terminal Adapter Equipment (TAE) is generally It is used to adjust the digital representation to suit the communication network or the network used for communication. Examples of communication networks that may be involved in such data communication include PSTN networks (Public Switched Telephone Networks, or universal telephone networks), digital PLMN networks (Public Land Mobile Networks, or mobile telephone networks), and ISDN networks (Integrated Services Digital Networks). There is this.

In general, a TAE device used to communicate with a PSTN network is called a modem (abbreviation for modulator / demoulator). The modem modulates the digital signal from the DTE device to transmit the signal through the PSTN network, and demodulates the signal from the PSTN network into a digital signal that the DTE device can understand.

In general, a TAE device used with an ISDN network is called an ISDN adapter. The ISDN adapter converts the protocol used by the DTE device to the protocol used by the ISDN network. Examples of such protocols are V.110 and X.25 as defined by the ITU.

In general, a TAE device used for communication with a PLMN network is called a mobile telephone modem. A mobile phone modem is not strictly a modem in technical terms, but rather a data converter connected between a DTE device and a mobile phone. However, the mobile phone modem satisfies the same function as the modem for the DTE device, so that it can use the functions of the PLMN network when coupled to the mobile phone. Mobile phone modems for the Global System for Mobile communication are also called GSM modems or GSM data cards.

The cooperation between the DTE device and the TAE device is typically controlled by so-called AT-commands (AT is an abbreviated form of attention) transmitted between the DTE device and the TAE device. For example, the DTE device may command a call, pausing, waiting for a ringing signal, or the like. Next, the TAE device uses an AT-command to inform the DTE-device that it is reserved, that data transmission has ended, that no ringing tone has been obtained, or the like. AT-commands were first introduced by modem company Hayes, and are today common to all modems and mobile phone modems. However, there are also other communication protocols with functions corresponding to the functions of the AT-command.

Certain data bearer services define parameters used in connection with data communication. Such parameters include, for example, data rate, start and stop bits, an indication of whether to use synchronous or asynchronous communication mode, and error correction on the communication link. It is possible to indicate whether or not. For example, a number of data communication alignment methods defined by ETSI are found in GSM systems. Any error correction protocol-RLP (Radio Link Protocol) can be used. RLP services are often referred to as non-transparent services, but if RLP is not used, the service is subsequently referred to as transparent services. Start and stop bits are available for each data packet. It is also possible to take advantage of the fact that the datastream in the GSM system is synchronous, so there is no need to use start and stop service. In this way, the effective communication speed can be increased. You can also enumerate the actual communication speed. Currently 2400, 4800 and 9600 bps speeds are available, but communication speeds will increase in the future. For example, the communication speed is increased by eight times in GSM systems, and of course will be further increased in future broadband systems.

Not all PLMN networks support all data bearer services. This is a drawback for the user. The data bearer service used can be set up using an AT-command, but to obtain this the user needs to know:

Data bearer services supported by the PLMN network;

A data bearer service that is most profitable to the user, and

How to use an AT-command.

However, it is common for general users not to know the requirements. To avoid this drawback, the mobile telephone modem is therefore set to the default data bearer service supported by all PLMN networks of the type intended by the modem. This is the case when one asynchronous and transparent data bearer service is defaulted using eg GSM modem ERRICSSON DC 23. Of course, using the default settings of the data bearer service generally means that the user does not have access to the data bearer service that is most beneficial to the user.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and apparatus suitable for a mobile telephone modem, and more particularly to the above technical field relating to establishing data communication with a data bearer service via a mobile telephone network.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating data communication between DTE devices using a TAE device.

2 illustrates an embodiment of the construction and use of a mobile telephone modem in accordance with the present invention.

3 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of how the mobile telephone modem of the present invention is adapted to operate in establishing a data communication.

The present invention addresses the issue of obtaining a mobile telephone modem through which a data carrier service and data communication can be established in a simpler manner over a mobile telephone network, thereby allowing the user to further establish a data-bearer service-setting that is beneficial to the user. Make it easy to get.

The problem is generally solved as follows: A mobile telephone modem comprises storage means in which one or more data bearer rankings are stored. If a call connection is requested, it selects one of the stored rankings, and if only one ranking is stored in the storage means, this ranking is of course selected. The call is first executed with the data bearer service having the highest rank in the selected rank rank. If the call connection is not established, the error message from the mobile phone network confirms whether the highest bearer data bearer service is supported by the network according to the error message of the mobile phone network. If the highest rated data bearer service is not supported by the mobile telephone network, until the call connection is established, or the associated data bearer service is supported by the mobile telephone network, but the called DTE device is still reserved or connected The calling procedure is repeated sequentially for all data bearer services with lower classes until it is confirmed that the call cannot be established for reasons such as being terminated.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mobile telephone modem capable of automatically establishing data communication with a data bearer service that provides the best possible benefit in one or more respects. The present invention also includes methods and apparatus in which this object can be obtained.

More specifically, the above-mentioned problem is solved according to the following: According to the present invention, it is proposed to rank data bearer services in different ways. For example, data bearer services may be ranked according to call setup time, communication speed, availability, or robustness. In addition, in accordance with the present invention, it is proposed to design a mobile telephone modem to update a ranking order or a ranking rank selection method according to one or more information parameters indicating which data bearer service is most beneficial for the associated communication state. .

This information parameter can be fetched from, for example, a mobile phone.

The first advantage provided by the present invention is that the data bearer service is advantageous or beneficial to the user without having to know deeply about the data bearer service, the mobile telephone network function, or the modus oprandi of the mobile telephone modem. Is approaching.

The invention is now described in more detail with reference to the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating data communication between DTE devices using a TAE device in a telecommunication system 1. The first mobile telephone modem 3 is connected between the first personal computer 5 and the first mobile telephone 7. The communication system 1 comprises a first PLMN network 9 which may be a GSM system. The first mobile phone 7 is connected to the first PLMN network 9 via the first base station 11. Of course, the first PLMN network actually includes a larger number of base stations than the illustrated first base station 11, but for simplicity the other base stations are not shown in FIG.

In addition, a number of DTE applications are shown in FIG. 1, wherein the first personal computer 5 is connected via a first PLMN network 9 using a first mobile telephone modem 3 and a first mobile telephone 7. Data communication can be set. Data communication may be established, for example, by the second, third and fourth personal computers 15, 21 and 19, respectively.

The second personal computer 15 is connected to the first ISDN network 19 via an ISDN adapter 17. The first ISDN network 19 is connected to the first interworking unit 13 (IWU) included in the first PLMN network 19. The first network interconnection device 13 allows the first PLMN 9 network to communicate with other networks of the communication system 1. Thus, the data is the first mobile telephone modem 3, the first mobile telephone 7, the first PLMN network 9 (via the first base station 11 and the first network interconnection device 13), It may be transferred from the first personal computer 5 to the second personal computer 15 in this order via the 1ISDN network 19 and the ISDN adapter 17. Of course, the data can also be conveyed in the opposite direction as well.

The third personal computer 21 is connected to the first PSTN network 25 via the modem 23. The first PSTN network 25 is connected to the first network interconnection device 13. Thus, the data is transferred from the first personal computer 5 via the first mobile telephone modem 3, the first mobile telephone 7, the first PLMN network 9, the first PSTN network 25 and the modem 23. It can be delivered to three personal computers 21. Of course, the data can likewise be passed in the opposite direction.

The fourth personal computer 29 is connected to the second mobile telephone 33 via the second mobile telephone modem 31. The second mobile telephone 33 is connected to the second PLMN network 35 through the second base station 37 included in the second PLMN network 35. The second PLMN network 35 includes a second network interconnect device 39, which is connected to a second ISDN network 41 and a second PSTN network 43. The second ISDN network 41 and the second PSTN network 43 are also connected to the first network interconnection device 13 of the first PLMN network 9. Accordingly, the first PLMN network 9 is connected to the second PLMN network 35 through the second ISDN network 41 or the second PSTN network 43. Therefore, the data is transmitted to the first mobile telephone modem 3, the first mobile telephone 7, the first PLMN network 9, the second ISDN network 41 or the second PSTN network 43, and the second PLMN network 35 (the Via the two-network interconnect device 39 and the second base station 37), the second mobile phone 33, and the second mobile phone modem 31 in this order. Of course, the data can be transferred in the opposite direction as well.

1 also illustrates the possibility of data communication using a first personal computer. The first network interconnection device 13 is connected to the Internet 27. Thus, the first personal computer 5 can be coupled to the Internet service in this order via the first mobile telephone modem 3, the first mobile telephone 7 and the first PLMN network 9.

A study of FIG. 1 shows that in order to establish data communication with an advantageous data bearer service, the first personal computer 5 user must have a large amount of information and be able to manage it. First, the user needs to know which data bearer services are useful and which of these services is best for him. The user also has complete knowledge of the communication system 1 to determine which data bearer services are available for the relevant data communication. In addition, the user should be aware of how to use an AT-command or the like in setting up a data bearer service to be used. If the user does not have this knowledge, he is usually using a data bearer service rather than the service that best benefits his requirements. However, according to the present invention described in detail below, a procedure has been proposed in which a user can access a beneficial data bearer service without having to have in-depth knowledge.

2 shows the construction and use of a mobile telephone modem 51 according to the present invention by way of an embodiment. The mobile telephone modem 51 includes a first communication interface 53 for communicating with the DTE device 63 and a second communication interface 55 for communicating with the mobile telephone 65. The mobile telephone 65 is connected to the PLMN network 67, and then the PLMN network 67 is connected to a plurality of communication networks (not shown). The mobile telephone modem 51 also includes a processor unit 57 and a storage unit 59. The processor unit 57 is adapted to control the operation of the mobile telephone modem 51 by using a program stored in the storage unit 59. The storage unit 59 also includes storage means suitable for storing data indicative of the rank ranking (DBS (1), ..., DBS (N)) of the data bearer service. In this regard, DBS (1) and DBS (N) means the highest data bearer service and the lowest data bearer service of the N data bearer services in the class list, respectively. The memory device involved in storing the rank order of the data bearer service (DBS 12, ..., DBS (N)) is shown by the symbol of block 61 in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining how the mobile telephone modem 51 operates when establishing data communication with the data bearer service via the PLMN network 67 using an embodiment.

The procedure shown in FIG. 3 begins in a first step 71 where the mobile telephone modem 51 receives a call number nn (AT-command: ATDnn) request from the DTE device 63.

Then, the procedure of FIG. 3 continues to a second step 73, where the count variable J is set to one.

Next, the procedure of FIG. 3 proceeds to a third step 75, where the associated data bearer service is set to DBS (J). The DBS (J) is drawn out from the rank rankings (DBS (1), ..., DBS (N)) of the data bearer service stored in the memory unit 59 at this point.

Since the coefficient variable J was initially set to 1, when executing the third step 75 for the first time, the associated data bearer service is set to DBS 1 (the highest rank data bearer service of the rank rank).

The procedure of Figure 3 continues to a fourth step 77, where number nn is called. The mobile phone 65 has a desired number (nn) along with other necessary information required to utilize current calling mechanisms via the PLMN network 67, including associated data bearer service settings (DBS (J)). ) Is signaled.

Next, the procedure shown in FIG. 3 continues to a fifth step 79, where it is determined whether the call is connected. In this regard, when the mobile phone 65 receives a signal from the PLMN network 67 confirming that the connection has been established, the call is considered to be connected. By means of a so-called CONNECT message described by an AT-command, the DTE device 63 obtains information that the call is connected.

If it is determined in step 5 of FIG. 3 that the call connection is established, a sixth step 81 is performed in which the mobile telephone modem waits for a hang-up. Connection termination can occur in a variety of ways. However, the DTE device 63 signals via AT-command (or via the corresponding communication protocol) that the connection has been released, or the PLMN network 67 signals that the rest of the party has terminated the connection. The most common way to terminate a connection is by notification. The sixth step 81 is followed by the seventh step 83, in which the mobile telephone modem 51 switches to idle mode.

If it is determined in step 5 of FIG. 3 that the call is not connected, an eighth step 85 is performed, where an error message from the PLMN network 67 is recorded. In this case, the mobile phone modem 51 requests to receive an error message through an AT-command to the mobile phone 65 (but in case of a large number of mobile phone models, the error message is forwarded without a request). In GSM networks, such error messages are called extended error reports. The GSM network may signal different error messages when the call connection attempt is not successful. One example of such an error message is when the requested data bearer service is not supported by the GSM network.

In FIG. 3, the eighth step 85 is followed by the ninth step 87, where it is checked whether the selected data bearer service DBS (J) is supported by the PLMN network 67 according to the error message.

In a ninth step 87 in FIG. 3, if it is determined that the data bearer service DBS (J) is supported by the PLMN network 67, the procedure continues to the tenth step 89, where the mobile telephone modem 51 Sends a standard AT response to the DTE device 63. The AT response provides information on why the connection was not made even though the selected data bearer service (DBS (J)) is supported by the PLMN network. For example, the called unit corresponding to number nn may be reserved, disconnected, or not receiving a ring signal. The most likely reason for the absence of a ring signal is that the mobile phone 65 and the mobile phone modem 51 are not connected correctly. Eleventh Step 89 Following eleventh step 91, the mobile telephone modem 51 is put into idle mode.

If it is determined in step 9 of FIG. 3 that DBS (J) is not supported by the PLMN network 67, after the twelfth step 93 in which the coefficient-variable J is increased by one, the procedure is performed. Restart from step 75. Then, it is determined in step 5 that the call is connected with the data bearer service setting set to DBS (J) (current J value), or DBS (J) in step 9, although the call connection is not successful, is performed. The procedure proceeds in the manner described above for the lower grade data bearer service until it is determined to be supported by the PLMN network. Therefore, assuming that the connection is made as much as possible, and using the procedure of FIG. 3, according to the stored data bearer service class ranks (DBS (1), ..., DBS (N)) of the highest class supported by the PLMN network. A connection can be made to the data bearer service. In the stored data bearer service class rankings (DBS (1), ..., DBS (N)), data bearer services may be rated in various ways.

For example, first the data bearer service may be ranked according to the connection establishment time, where it is appropriate to select the data bearer service using V.110 as the highest class data bearer service (DSB (1)). V.110 is an ITU-T standard for communication speed adjustment protocol of ISDN networks, as is well known to those skilled in the art. For example, the GSM network uses the same mechanism over a wide range to adjust the communication speed of the DTE device to the actual communication speed on the wireless channel.

In addition, the data bearer service may be rated according to the communication speed. In this regard, both the speed of communication on the radio link to the PLMN network 67 and the ability to utilize data bearer services with compression protocols both serve to select the most beneficial data bearer service. An example of the rank ranking of a suitable data bearer service at this point is shown in Table 1 below.

Table 1

DBS (1) synchronous and transparent

Asynchronous and non-transparent with or without DBS (2) data compression

DBS (3) asynchronous and transparent

In addition, data bearer services may be rated according to robustness. Some data bearer services are more robust than others for normal interference on the radio link to the PLMN network 67. Error correction protocols can be conveniently used to achieve high robustness, especially in the case of low signal strength. For example, in a GSM system, it is appropriate to select the data bearer service with the RLP protocol as the highest class data bearer service. Table 2 below gives an example of the rank rankings of the data bearer services (DBS (1), ..., DBS (N)) in this regard.

TABLE 2

DBS (1) Asynchronous and Nontransparent

DBS (2) asynchronous and transparent

DBS (3) synchronous and transparent

A fourth way of ranking data bearer services is to rank the services according to their usefulness in operators' networks.

FIG. 2 relates only to the ranking ranks of the data bearer services stored in the mobile telephone modem 51 (DBS (1),..., DBS (N)), but according to other criteria the more ranking of the mobile telephone modem 51. You should know that you can save your ranking. If multiple rating ranks have been stored, one of the rating ranks is appropriately selected by default, as well as the mobile phone modem allowing the user to select a rating rank other than the default if he actually desires.

According to the invention, it is proposed that the mobile telephone modem 51 is adapted to update at least one of the stored data bearer service class ranks for at least one information parameter. Optionally, the mobile telephone modem 51 may also update which rank order should be defaulted according to the information parameter. Preferably, one or more information parameters are withdrawn from the mobile phone 65. For example, the signal strength measured by the mobile phone 65 may be one of the information parameters. This information is retrieved from the mobile phone 65 using an AT-command (or corresponding communication protocol). By carrying out a predetermined algorithm stored in the storage unit 59 in the form of a program, the most advantageous data bearer service class rank at this time is selected according to the information. Other information parameters that can be used include information about the country in which the call occurs, information relating to it being withdrawn from the mobile phone 65, the number to be called (nn) and whether the call was successfully connected to the number. Include. This information is obtained from the mobile phone 65 using an AT-command (or corresponding communication protocol). Each operator providing a PLMN network supporting different data bearer service settings may exist in one and the same country. For example, the information on how the communication system works is stored in the storage unit 59 of the memory means, whose content is never lost, such as so-called flash memory, and which applies no voltage to the mobile telephone modem 51 at all. Are stored in.

Although the mobile phone modem 51 of FIG. 2 is coupled as a free-standing unit between the DTE device 63 and the mobile phone 65, the modem 51 is not necessarily an independent device, but is optional. It should be noted that it may be advantageous to be implemented as a DTE device 63 or as an integral part of the mobile phone 65.

Claims (18)

At least one mobile telephone network 67, wherein the mobile telephone modem 51 is coupled between the DTE device 63 and the mobile telephone 65 coupled to the mobile telephone network 67. In the communication setup method: a) generating at least one rating rank for the data bearer service, b) selecting one of the rank rankings, c) selecting the highest rank data bearer service not yet selected from the rank ranking selected in step b), d) calling using the data bearer service setting of the mobile telephone modem 51 set to the data bearer service selected according to step c), e) determining whether a connection has been made, f) in response to an error message from the mobile telephone network 67, if it is determined in step e) that no connection is established, determining whether the data bearer service selected according to step c) is supported by the mobile telephone network. , And g) from step b) to determining that a connection has been established according to step e) or until the data bearer service selected according to step c) is determined to be supported by the mobile telephone network 67 according to step f). repeating f). The method of claim 1, wherein generating the at least one rank rank according to step a) comprises ranking a data bearer service in at least one of the rank ranks according to a connection time of each data bearer service. Data communication setting method, characterized in that. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the at least one rank rank according to step a) comprises ranking a data bearer service in at least one of the rank ranks according to a communication speed of each data bearer service. Data communication setting method, characterized in that. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the at least one rank rank according to step a) comprises ranking a data bearer service in at least one of the rank ranks according to the availability of each data bearer service. A data communication setting method characterized by the above-mentioned. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the at least one rank rank according to step a) comprises ranking a data bearer service in at least one of the rank ranks according to the robustness of each data bearer service. A data communication setting method characterized by the above-mentioned. Method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising the step h) of gathering at least one information parameter. 7. A method according to claim 6, wherein retrieving the information parameter in accordance with step h) comprises retrieving at least one of the information parameters from a mobile telephone (65). 8. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 7, wherein the method comprises the following step i) updating at least one of the ranks according to at least one of the information parameters. The data according to any one of claims 6, 7, or 8, wherein selecting one of the rankings according to step b) comprises selecting according to at least one of the information parameters. How to set up communication. In the mobile telephone modem 51 which couples between the DTE device 63 and the mobile telephone 65 coupled to the mobile telephone network 67, Memory means 61 adapted to store at least one data bearer class of service rank, a) means 59, 57 for selecting one of the rank rankings, b) means 59 and 57 for selecting the highest rank data bearer service not yet selected from the rank ranking selected in a) above; c) means (55, 59, 57) for creating a call connection through the mobile telephone 65 using the data bearer service of the mobile telephone modem set up as the data bearer service selected according to b); d) means (59, 57, 55) for determining whether a call connection has been made, e) in response to an error message from the mobile telephone network 67, if it is determined in step d) that no connection is established, means 59 for determining whether the data bearer service selected according to b) is supported by the mobile telephone network. , 57, 55) Until the mobile telephone modem 51 determines that a connection has been established in d) or that the data bearer service selected in accordance with d) in e) is supported by the mobile telephone network 67 a). And e) to e). A mobile telephone modem according to claim 10, wherein the data bearer service stored in one of the memory means (61) is rated according to the call connection time of each data bearer service. 12. A mobile telephone modem according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the data bearer service stored in one of said memory means (61) is rated according to the communication speed of each data bearer service. 13. A mobile telephone modem according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the data bearer service stored in one of the memory means (61) is rated according to the availability of each data bearer service. The mobile telephone modem according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the data bearer service stored in one of the memory means (61) is rated according to the robustness of each data bearer service. 15. A mobile telephone modem according to any of claims 10 to 14, wherein the modem comprises means (59, 57, 55) for retrieving at least one information parameter. 16. The mobile telephone modem according to claim 15, wherein said means (59, 57, 55) for retrieving said information is adapted to withdraw at least one of information parameters from a mobile telephone (65). 17. The apparatus (5) according to any one of claims 15 to 16, wherein said modem (51) is adapted to update at least one rating rank (s) stored in said memory means (61) in accordance with at least one of said information parameters. 57) mobile phone modem comprising: a. 18. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 15, 16 or 17, wherein the means (59, 57) for selecting the one rank rank (s) according to at least one of the information parameters. A mobile telephone modem characterized by being selected.